The Edinburgh Minute ⏰ Monday 3 November 2025
Uni jobs axed, patients' medical records breached, fury over Astley Ainslie plans, Lyceum losses + thousands attend Samhuinn & Diwali
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Not the busiest weekend of news but I've found a few things this morning. Here’s Monday's Edinburgh Minute.
🎓 Seven jobs are being axed at the University of Edinburgh's Institute for Academic Development, according to the University and College Union. - Exclusive by Jamie Calder in The Edinburgh Tab.
🚄 Police officers will patrol LNER train services between Edinburgh and London this week following a mass stabbing attack on the route. - Andrew J Quinn, The Scotsman.
🔥 Kids setting off fireworks in Moredun were among four groups given Dispersal Orders by police on Friday night. - Gary Flockhart, Evening News.
⮑ Although Bonfire Night isn’t until Wednesday, police say they are ‘really encouraged that we have not seen the same levels of disorder that we experienced last Halloween.’ - John Hislop, The Edinburgh Reporter.
- Nearly 5,000 people gathered for the Samhuinn Fire Festival on Friday night. - Beth Franklin, STV News.
- Thousands of people also watched last night's Diwali festival fireworks after a day of performances between St Andrew Square and the Ross Bandstand. - There's a video on This Is Edinburgh.
🚨 Around 100 people had their private medical records accessed during an NHS Lothian data breach. Police have now charged someone, according to BBC Scotland News.
🏥 A general outline proposal for 500 housing units on the Astley Ainslie hospital site in Morningside has drawn a lot of discussion over the weekend. One commenter on the Astley Ainslie Facebook page describes the idea as an 'unforgivable destruction of a historic and health-giving green space'. The AACT are in the replies trying their best to explain the early stages of the planning process.
🚲 The roll-out of Voi electric hire bikes continued over the weekend, along with more geofenced parking areas. - Get all the details in this week’s edi.bike cycle travel newsletter.
🗞️ November's issue of the Broughton Spurtle is out now and available to read online here. It includes news that Essential Edinburgh could consider 'overseeing Picardy Place's Fantasy Island', aka the Omni-Shambles, aka Arthur's Legacy, aka Picardy Maze, aka Leith Street Bus Delay Bottleneck (according to some bus drivers).
🏗️ Plans for 182 student flats have been submitted for a site on Russell Road in Roseburn near Haymarket, reports Joe Donnelly in The Herald.
🎵 The project to open a National Centre for Music on Calton Hill has secured more funding and is due to open 'at end of 2027'. -Brian Ferguson, The Herald.
🎭 The Royal Lyceum Theatre is planning a 'substantial' fundraising appeal after announcing financial losses. - Exclusive by Jane Bradley in The Scotsman.
💚 The Leith Arches Hub at 99 Leith Walk closed down over the weekend. - The team say they're moving to the new Renroc Cafe, opening on Montgomery Street, later this month.
The council has axed garden waste collection fees for community garden groups after hundreds of people signed a petition, reports Ross Chalmers of Deadline News.
🎈 Remember, you can get money off the Minute just now at this link. The discount will only run for a couple more days!
Michael MacLeod
📌 Edinburgh Minute Community Noticeboard
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📌 “Monday 3 November: Today marks the start of Adoption Week Scotland. St Andrew's Children's Society, an adoption and fostering agency in Leith, are holding 7 Adoption Information Events during the campaign, including one for single adopters. If you're interested in adopting, sign up for one now!” - Thanks to Tara Macgregor for sharing this.
📌 “Tue 4th / Thur 6th Nov - For To Absent Friends Week, Duncan Place Community Hub has organised a Creative Workshop for Reminiscence and a Reminiscence Café to reminisce about people we love who have died. Book a free space and make something inspired by, or share memories of, your loved one.” - Thanks to Ot from Duncan Place Community Hub for sharing this.
📌 “Tuesday: Local History talk - "The Life and Times of Esta Henry: Queen of the Royal Mile". Andy Arthur from Threadinburgh will tell the remarkable life story of Esta Henry. Doors 18:30, talk 19:15-, Morningside Parish Church, 2 Cluny Gardens, EH10 6BQ, £3 for non-members of Morningside Heritage Association.” - Thanks to Andy Arthur, from Threadinburgh.Scot for sharing this.
📌 “Wednesday 5 November 2025. Join Professor Jim Mills at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh for Scotland’s Opium Secrets, a lecture exploring the consumption of opium-based substances in Scotland in the early modern period.” - Thanks to Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh for sharing this.
📌 “Thursday 6th Nov, 5 - 7 pm - Broughton Street Sip & Shop. Local gift shops are teaming up for an evening of drinks, nibbles and 10% off in store. Lifestory, Curiouser + Curiouser, Broughton Street Flowers and Woolkind will open late for you to shop in style ahead of the festive rush.” - Thanks to Laurence Di Sotto, Founder of Woolkind., for sharing this.
📌 “8 Nov – St Stephen Studio Salon is a one-day festive gathering in Stockbridge celebrating local makers, artists, and florists. Enjoy talks, demos, seasonal refreshments, and curated goodie bags. Perfect for discovering creative gifts and soaking up Edinburgh’s festive spirit.” - Thanks to Cat Anderson, Founder of treen and St Stephen Studio and Sam, Founder of Salon by Foster Bloom, for sharing this.
⮑ Here's a little glimpse inside.
📌 “Thank you to everyone who joined LifeCare's sold-out Sweet Partnership Afternoon Tea with Lannan! Together we raised nearly £3,000 for our vital services. Watch out for two more delicious partnership teas in 2026...and Lannan’s trifles will be sweetening our Community Christmas Lunches...book now!” - Thanks to Claire at LifeCare for sharing this.
📌 “Monday 3 November 6.30pm. Jenn Scott, author & historian talks about Men's Clothing in late Medieval Scotland. Augustine United Church. Charge for non-members.” - Thanks to The Costume Society of Scotland for sharing this.
📌 “Thursday 6 November: Join The Cockburn Association for an exciting evening of discussions about the history of The Association and its work, as well as an exploration of the future of Edinburgh. Join us for an evening of conversations with the authors of "Campaigning for Edinburgh".” - Thanks to The Cockburn Association for sharing this.
📌 “Thu 6 Nov - Hejira: celebrating Joni Mitchell - The Voodoo Rooms. 7-piece band ‘Hejira’ performs the greatest works of the genius singer-songwriter. Fronted by the outstanding Hattie Whitehead, this band fully captures the poetry and beauty of Mitchell’s masterpieces.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “7th - 10th November - Persevere: A Post-Industrial Pondering is an art exhibition at Sett Studios, 127 Leith Walk , exploring Leith’s industrial past. Through poetry, rugs, banners and bread, Rosie Shackleton explores how Leith’s industrial past, still live on today!” - Thanks to Rosie Shackleton, artist and curator for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday 8 November - Northern Rodeo Country Festival at The Pitt! One boot-stompin, line-dancin, bronco-buckin night of country fun. Featuring live music, a bucking bronco, line dancing sessions, hot wings, local brews, themed cocktails, games and a bonfire.” - Thanks to Daisy Mayers at The Pitt, for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday, 8 November. Jacobite-themed evening at the Georgian House – enjoy candlelit rooms, live music, period dance, and tales of Bonnie Prince. Discover treasures from the collection and step into the spirit of 18th-century Scotland. Dress up and join the cause!” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “11/11/25 - Orémi X So Far Sounds Acoustic Night. Enjoy 3 incredible performances from local musicians with time in between to meet new people & make new pals! :) Use our code OREMI-8944C for a discount!” - Thanks to Ini, Orémi, for sharing this.
📌 “Thursday 13th November - An evening with Simon Yates of Touching the Void : My Mountain Life. One of the most accomplished mountaineers of all time.” - Thanks to Alpkit Edinburgh for sharing this.
📌 “Saturday, 15 November. St Columba’s Church by Edinburgh Castle, 14 Johnston Terrace. The Stewart Brothers acoustic duo, play evocative covers on Spanish guitar - joined by guest singer/songwriter Marjun. The Stewart Brothers have a new album out “Songs Without Words.” on the usual platforms.” - Thanks to the organisers for sharing this.
📌 “Euan's Guide Access Survey supported by Motabilty Scheme is now open! Have your say on disabled access - your experiences help break down barriers and make positive change to disabled access in the UK.” - Thanks to Euan's Guide for sharing this.
📮 Anything missing? Please share your local news and events here.
👀 The most-visited links from the last newsletter:
- 🍽️ 'I've reviewed 43 of Edinburgh's best new restaurants in 2025, these are my favourites'.
- 🥐 Former Hobz Leith Walk bakery owners discuss next project.
- 🚨 Police and bus drivers hit by bricks and petrol bombs.
- 💰 Council fined £22,000 for failing to pay volunteer staff.
- 📌 From the Community Noticeboard: fermentation workshops.
⏰ Thanks for reading edition number 759.
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